Wood-chopping device



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Feb. 5, 1929.

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Patented Feb. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WOOD-CHOPPING DEVICE.

Application filed August 25, 1927.

My invention relates to improvements in wood chopping devices. The object ofmy invention is to provide an effective wood chopping device which may easily be operated by persons who have not the strength and skill required to chop large quantities of wood for stove use.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a wood chopping device which will be effective for the purpose and positive in its operation so as to prevent accidental operation thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of my device.

Figure 2 is an isometric View of an alternative form of my device.

Figure 3 is a detail view of a particular form of latch.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

My improved chopping device is incorporated in a frame which is constructed as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 upon a base 10 which preferably consists of a heavy block of wood or metal so as to provide steadiness to the entire structure. At each end of the block 10 I have provided a standard each of which comprises a pair of uprights 11 and 12, respectively. These uprights are inserted into holes in the blocklO at 13 and 14, respectively and they are maintained in their upright positions by braces 15 and 16. Each pair of uprights is maintained in parallel re lation by means of spacers at 17 and 18, said spacers also performing the function of bearing blocks for the control shaft 19 which extends through said spacer'blocks and at 20 terminates in a radial arm.

A heavy axe bar 21 so formed as to readily slide between the pairs of uprights 11 and 12 and provided with a handle 22, provides a mounting to which the axe 23 is secured. A pedal shaft 24 extending through the block 10 as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 is provided with a pedal at 25 and a radial arm at 26, and a link 27 connects the radial arm 26 with the radial arm 20 to provide a pedal control of latches 27 and 28 which are so formed as to engage the axe bar 21 when it is in its uppermost position. The latches 27 and 28 are pinned or keyed to the shaft 19 to turn simultaneously therewith.

A spring fork or pair of spring bars 29 extending laterally from the uprights 12 and above the block 10 provide means for support Serial No. 215,271.

ing a piece of wood 30 underthe axe 28. The spaced arms 29 may be linked together as shown in Figure 2 by a pivoted connector so that they may be swung out of operative position when unusually shaped pieces of wood are to be chopped or when two persons are available for the operation of my device.

As indicated in Figures 2 and 3, I may substitute a rope 31 and a pulley 32 in place of the handle 22 for raising the axe bar 21 and I have, therefore, provided bearing blocks and 34 for the pulley shaft 35 in my alternative structure. I prefer, however, in proiirding a rope control to form my latches 27 and 28 with a projecting boss 36 so that my chopping device may be more easily operated as indicated below.

In operating the device, the operator first raises the axe bar by means of the handle 22 to its uppermost position where the latches 27 and 28, by reason of their shape and weight automatically engage the axe bar so as to retain it at the top of the guideways 11 and 12. The operator may then place the stick of wood 30 between the spring fork arms 29 where it will beretained in upright postion directly under the axe 23. The operator may then retreat to a safe distance and release the latches 27 and 28 by pressing downward upon the pedal 25, as will be obvious from an examination of Figures 1 and 2. Immediately upon release of the axe bar 21, the weight of the bar and the axe causes the axe to descend upon the end of the stick of wood at 30 and split same as desired.

The operation of my alternative structure as shown in Figure 2 is identical to that described above, with the exception that the rope 31 secured to the axe bar 21 is used to raise the axe bar to its uppermost position where it is retained until release thereof is desired. To release the axe bar as shown in Figure 2, the operator may either trip the lever 25 or may sharply pull the rope 31 so as to bring the axe bar 21 sharply against the boss 36 so as to kick the latches 27 and 28 so far from the bar as to permit its downward fall before the latches 27 and 28 have time to pivotally return to the vertical position.

If the supporting fork or spring bars 29 are not desired, they may be thrust out of the way as indicated in the dotted lines in Fig ure 2 and they may, of course, be so fitted to the bars of the standard as to make it possible to slide the fork downwardly to permit the axe to strike the base 10 and therefore permit the chopping of small sticks. Any adjustment of the fork therefore is possible up to a height limited by the braces 15.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a vertically slidable axe, an axe bar secured to the axe, a pivotal latch provided with a lug for engaging the lower edge of the axe bar, members on the latch for engaging the upper edge of the axe bar whereby a sudden upward movement of the axe bar will release the lug from the lower edge of the bar and permit it to drop.

2. In a wood chopping device including a base and upright-s supported by the base, the coi'nbination with an axe supporting bar vertically guided by said uprights. of means for lifting said supporting bar, latch arms engageable with said bar for supporting it in raised position, said arms being mounted upon a shaft rotatable in a horizontal axis and normally suspended vertically below the shaft for engagementwith the lower side of the bar. a toot lever for rotating said shaft, and meane connecting said shaft and lever.

FRANCIS H. HAMPTON. 

